At the time?
This is still in practice.
“”Thousands of skeletons were dug up from Roman catacombs in the 16th century and installed in towns around Germany, Austria and Switzerland on the orders of the Vatican.””
Are you defending the practice as someone who approves of it, or are you trying to say that it is over and that is good news, are you trying to say that renegades did this against leadership’s wishes and commands, or that individuals did a great thing on their own?
You are really sending mixed signals.
This indicates that you think of it as a pretty sick, ugly thing for Christians to do.
“”The OP would love to have you believe that the RCC is a bizarre, money-obsessed operation and will dredge up any archaic practice or any abused victim among billions of followers in Her 2,000 year history.””
Only if you're trying not to understand. Is it still a practice? I don't think so - I've not heard of recent saints being bejeweled by Catholics. Is it an odd practice? From 21st century America, yes, I'd say so. But was there a reason for it consistent with Christianity? Yes - other posters have pointed out the Biblical use of expensive oils to anoint the dead. It makes sense to enshrine people that have led some aspect of life that others should follow.